Catherine Mary Harris AO, PSM, FAICD is an Australian company director. She has served as Chairperson of Harris Farm Markets since 1999.[1]

Catherine Harris
Born
Catherine Mary Rossi
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of New South Wales
OccupationCompany director
EmployerHarris Farm Markets
Board member of
SpouseDavid Harris
ChildrenFive
Parent
  • Mary Rossi (mother)
Notes

Career edit

Harris graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Commerce.[1] Following university Harris worked for both David Jones and Grace Bros.[3] In 1971, Harris co-founded Harris Farm Markets with her husband, David.

She has previously held roles as the Deputy Chancellor UNSW 1999-2003; chief executive and Director of the Affirmative Action Agency; chief executive of Harris Communications (International Marketing Company); chair of Mary Rossi Travel Pty Ltd; and chair of the now closed St Margaret's Public and Private Hospital.[1]

Harris currently serves as a director of the National Gallery of Australia, The Australian Ballet, UNSW Business School, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the Australia Japan Foundation and as a Trustee of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust. She has served as Honorary Consul of Bhutan in Sydney since 2 June 2004.[4][5] Harris is a governor of the University of Notre Dame Australia.[6] In February 2012 she was appointed to Australian Rugby League Commission.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Honours and awards edit

In 2000 Harris was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) "for outstanding public service as Director of the Commonwealth's Affirmative Action Agency and her role in the acceptance of affirmative action by Australia's business community."[13] She was awarded the Centenary Medal on 1 January 2001 "for service to Australian society in business leadership".[14]

In 2006 Harris was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) "for service to community development through leadership roles in organisations related to education, health care, advancement of the status of women, the Catholic Church, the arts and sport, and to international relations between Australia and Asia, particularly support for Bhutanese people living in Australia."[15]

The UNSW Business School awarded Harris with an Honorary Doctorate of Business (Hon.D.Bus) in 2008;[7] and she is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).

Personal life edit

Harris is a Roman Catholic,[3] is married to David whom she met while completing her undergraduate degree,[2][3] and together they have five sons.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Catherine Harris AO PSM FAICD | UNSW Australia Business School". Business.unsw.edu.au. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b Caroll, David (20 June 2011). "Still going places". The Australian. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Durkin, Patrick (14 February 2014). "Catherine and David Harris: the long and winding road". Boss in the Financial Review. Australia. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  4. ^ Auerbach, Taylor; Sexton, Jennifer (17 August 2013). "NSW's secret embassies uncovered in Sydney suburbs". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Bhutan's Honorary Consul in Australia called on Hon'ble Foreign Minister". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Royal Government of Bhutan. 15 November 2016. Archived from the original (Media Release) on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Board of Governors". University of Notre Dame Australia. 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  7. ^ a b "ARL Commission". Rugbyleague.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  8. ^ Hannan, Liz (28 January 2012). "In a league of her own". Executivestyle.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  9. ^ Rothfield, Phil (1 June 2011). "Catherine Harris to be appointed to rugby league's independent commission". Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Catherine Harris AO PSM". The Australian Ballet. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  11. ^ McDonald, Margie. "Dawn of women running NRL near, Harris banks farm on it". The Australian. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  12. ^ Harvey, Claire (27 November 2011). "Rugby league's Independent Commission member Catherine Harris to target mothers". Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  13. ^ "HARRIS, Catherine Mary - Public Service Medal". It's an Honour database. Australian Government. 26 January 2000. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  14. ^ "HARRIS, Catherine Mary - Centenary Medal". It's an Honour database. Australian Government. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  15. ^ "HARRIS, Catherine Mary - Officer of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour database. Australian Government. 12 June 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2017.